Assim, a young man in his twenties, is a person with reduced mobility. He always moves with crutches and requires assistance to access places that are not suitable for people with disabilities. Assim grew up in the Nanisana neighborhood and pursued higher education at the University of Frères De La Salle in Soavimasoandro. His dream is to create his own business in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Unfortunately, his shyness keeps him away from other young people in his neighborhood, fearing discrimination related to his disability. Assim is apprehensive about society’s perception because people with disabilities are still marginalized and discriminated against despite awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts by various associations.
In 2019, Assim joined the SAIOMF association after learning about it during a sensitization campaign. This association, which now has about thirty members, aims to promote the active participation of people with disabilities in economic and social life. Driven by this vision, association members proposed an initiative to the Fanainga program in September 2020. The goal was to promote inclusive public transportation in Antananarivo.
They advocated for the commitment of stakeholders in the urban transport sector to provide accessible services for people with disabilities. The decision to focus on transportation was deliberate, as Assim and others face challenges when trying to board taxi-bes. Association members mobilized to carry out this initiative. Assim, particularly committed, actively participated in Fanainga’s team efforts. Their hard work paid off.
After six months of advocacy, the association convinced some taxi-be lines to prioritize passengers with disabilities. Unfortunately, this practice is currently limited to a few pilot routes. However, after extensive negotiations with authorities, the Urban Commune of Antananarivo approved the implementation of a “fast-track” accessibility card for taxi-bes serving people with disabilities.
For Assim, this achievement is not only a success for the association but also a personal triumph. His involvement in the project enhanced his skills and self-esteem. The knowledge gained from working with Fanainga’s technicians now aids him in preparing for the next phase of his entrepreneurial venture. Assim has become a key figure in the initiative to promote accessible public transportation for people with disabilities in Antananarivo.
